Maryam Ghalamkari / Earth & Environmental Sciences / Faculty Mentor: Un-Jung Kim
Early-life exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can lead to significant phenotypic changes in brain neuroanatomy, gene expression, and behavioral regulation. Microplastics (MPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging EDCs of particular concern due to their persistence in the environment and potential for bioaccumulation. However, the effects of MP and PFAS, particularly their accumulation and metabolism in tissues, remain poorly understood. This study focuses on the exposure impact of 7 MP polymers (e.g., Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP)) and PFASs (e.g., focused on PFOS) in male (n=15) and female (n=15) rats, aged 88-96 days. We compare dosed and control (6:1) samples from whole blood, kidney, and brain (cerebellum). Blood sample preparation includes microfiltration for MPs and solid-phase extraction (SPE) for PFAS, with kidney and brain tissues processed using SPE, ENVI-Carb, and Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE). Microplastics and PFAS were analyzed by pyrolysis-GC/MS and HPLC/MS/MS, respectively. Our results show that MPs averaged 350 ppb in blood, with PC as predominant (25–67%) in control and case samples. Female rats had 2–6 times higher MP levels than male rats.
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